Unapologetic Christmas Plea from Bishop Fehrs: Stand Against Antisemitism
In her no-holds-barred Christmas address, Hamburg's Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, the Chairperson of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), took a firm stance against antisemitism. She reminded Christians that the "enlightened" baby in Bethlehem was, in fact, Jewish, underlining Jesus' mission to respect children's dignity and oust the world's bullies with all our might.
Fehrs also brought up the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, expressing concerns for the hapless children in Bethlehem, smack dab in the heart of the occupied territories. Modern wars are invariably a humanitarian disaster, decimating civilian populations disproportionately. Praying for the afflicted is vital, but action is equally mandatory.
Bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt from the North Church described Christmas as the embodiment of divine love. With a peace offering in both hands, Christ positions himself between adversaries and belligerents, fostering unity, reconciling parties, and enhancing community spirit. In the face of earth-shattering catastrophes and widespread desolation, the upbeat and hopeful character of this Christmas message resonates powerfully.
Skip the scenery of a benevolent world and the Bishop of Greifswald, Tilman Jeremias, paints a bleak picture. Overstretched with tension and brimming with exhaustion, the world is far from ideal. Still, it's a reason to celebrate Church-wise. Jesus Christ isn't born into a utopia; instead, he's a beacon in the darkness, himself born in humble circumstances.
Bishop Nora Steen from Schleswig highlights the biblical Christmas story's essential message: "Fear not!" In light of threats to democracy and social cohesion, the encouragement to stay fearless and unwavering is more pertinent than ever. Christians can provide solace to their fellow humans in these trying times.
As an example, the church in Schleswig-Holstein takes action, providing refuge for refugees and performing outreach at train stations. This displays the essential role of the Christian community in supporting its brethren.
Fehrs' Christmas message touched upon the Israel-Palestinian conflict, urging Christians to actively combat antisemitism. Grounded in the Jewish origins of Christianity, the EKD under Fehrs advocates for respecting children's dignity as Jesus' mission.
Religious leaders, including Bishop Fehrs, underscore the importance of interfaith dialogue, combating hatred, and promoting reconciliation in their Christmas messages. In the context of global conflicts, they particularly emphasize the fight against antisemitism and the Middle East conflict.
To delve deeper into Bishop Fehrs' exact viewpoints, it is worth checking the official EKD website or seeking recent press releases and declarations.
